An unexpected surgical complication of ventricular assist device implantation identified by transesophageal echocardiography: a case report.

Ventricular assist devices are used for circulatory support for patients with cardiogenic shock and refractory heart failure. Although early and late complications of left ventricular assist devices have been reported, we report a rare surgical complication of a left ventricular assist device implantation. This unexpected surgical complication was accurately identified by transesophageal echocardiography.